Jun 13, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (left), pitcher Stephen Kolek (center) and Xander Bogaerts react in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix, Arizona – It started like a statement. It ended like a sigh.
Three pitches into Friday night’s series opener against the Diamondbacks, Fernando Tatis Jr. had smoked a double into the right field corner and come around to score on a heads-up tag play and errant throw. The Padres led 1-0 before many fans had found their seats.
Then, the offense disappeared.
San Diego managed just five more hits — all singles — the rest of the night in a 5-1 loss that dropped them back to .500. They went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and grounded into two inning-killing double plays. Tatis Jr.’s leadoff double was their lone extra-base hit.
Stephen Kolek (3-2) struggled in his shortest outing of the season, allowing five runs on seven hits across just 4.2 innings. The damage came quickly: former Padre Josh Naylor drilled the first pitch of the second inning into the seats for his ninth homer, and Corbin Carroll added a solo shot in the fifth — his 20th of the year. Arizona padded the lead that same inning with a sac fly from Naylor and an RBI single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. that knocked Kolek from the game.
Despite the early exit, the Padres bullpen held its ground. Sean Reynolds, Wandy Peralta, and David Morgan combined for 3.2 hitless innings — a silver lining on an otherwise frustrating night.
But the story of this game was the missed chances. Even when the Padres seemed to catch a break, things unraveled. In the second inning, with runners on the corners and one out, Elias Díaz struck out on a full count while Jake Cronenworth attempted to steal second. Catcher Gabriel Moreno’s throw sailed into center, seemingly allowing Gavin Sheets to score from third — but home plate umpire Jansen Visconti ruled interference and sent both runners back. The rally fizzled.
Arizona starter Ryne Nelson (3-2) earned the win with five innings of one-run ball, navigating some hard contact but escaping trouble thanks to poor Padres execution.
The Diamondbacks, now winners of four straight, moved above .500 for the first time in three weeks. The Padres, meanwhile, were left with more questions than answers — especially at the plate.
Saturday’s game offers a chance to regroup. Rookie Ryan Bergert will get the ball against D-backs ace Zac Gallen as San Diego looks to even the series.
